Why Are Rural Hospitals Closing? — How Pennsylvania Physicians Are Fighting to Save Access

Staying Sharp in Emergency Medicine: The LifeGuard Program

In this episode of PAMED Talks, Julie Heaney speaks with Kristen Sandel, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, emergency physician, leader at WellSpan Ephrata, and Trustee of The Foundation of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, about her work as a physician reviewer for the LifeGuard Program. Dr. Sandel shares insights on how emergency medicine is evolving, common challenges physicians face with board certification, and the impact of burnout on learning and performance. She also highlights how LifeGuard supports physicians in strengthening clinical competency and returning to board eligibility. LifeGuard's Return to Board Eligibility (ABEM) pathway offers a structured, supportive route for emergency physicians to regain board eligibility through targeted assessment, learning, and clinical evaluation. Visit lifeguardprogram.com/pathways to learn more! Visit www.pamedsoc.org [https://www.pamedsoc.org] for more.

What Is a Clinically Integrated Network? — What It Means for Pennsylvania Physicians

Clinically integrated networks and value based care are reshaping how Pennsylvania physicians practice, and this episode breaks down what that actually means. In this episode of PAMED Talks, PAMED President Arvind R. Cavale, MD, FACE, FCPP, PCEO sits down with John Pagan, MD, MBA, FACS, CEO of the Pennsylvania Clinical Network and President of the Bucks County Medical Society, to explore the history, mechanics, and future of physician led networks in Pennsylvania. This conversation covers how the PA Clinical Network came to be, how it operates day to day, and what independent physicians should understand about value based care whether or not they choose to participate. Topics covered: * What a clinically integrated network is and how the PA Clinical Network fits into Pennsylvania's healthcare landscape * How specialists and primary care physicians can engage with clinically integrated networks * How physician led networks relate to broader conversations about care Arvind R. Cavale, MD, FACE, FCPP, PCEO is the 176th President of the Pennsylvania Medical Society. John Pagan, MD, MBA, FACS is CEO of the PA Clinical Network and a board certified surgeon. Learn more about the PA Clinical Network: https://www.paclinicalnetwork.com Register for the IP Summit: https://www.pamedsoc.org/IPSummit #PhysicianAdvocacy #PennsylvaniaMedicine #PAMED #IndependentMedicine Visit www.pamedsoc.org [https://www.pamedsoc.org] for more.

What Is a Community-Owned Health Plan? The Model Pennsylvania Physicians Should Know About

Community-Owned Health Plans and direct contracting are changing the conversation about what is possible for physicians in Pennsylvania, and this episode explains exactly how. Join us as PAMED President Arvind R. Cavale, MD, FACE, FCPP, PCEO sits down with Tina Wilt, GBA, Senior Consultant in Advanced Healthcare Strategies at Alera Group, an expert with more than 25 years in employee benefits and one of the architects of central Pennsylvania's first community owned health plan. Take the Community-Owned Health Plan (COHP) Interest Survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/WS2YXPG Topics covered:  * What a Community-Owned Health Plan is * Direct Contracting * How Pennsylvania independent physician practices can lower costs while improving patient access to care  * The role of technology in reducing administrative burden for independent practices * PAMED's June 19th Independent Practice Summit in Harrisburg - Register now: www.pamedsoc.org/IPSummit Tina Wilt, GBA, is Senior Consultant in Advanced Healthcare Strategies at Alera Group with more than 25 years of experience in employee benefits and alternative health plan design. Learn more about PAMED's presidential initiative at pamedsoc.org/autonomy #PhysicianAdvocacy #PennsylvaniaMedicine #PAMED #IndependentMedicine Visit www.pamedsoc.org [https://www.pamedsoc.org] for more.

The NHP Conversation: Recovery & Resilience

In honor of Nurses' Day, join us for a conversation with Karen Allen, RN, retired nurse and current member of the Nurses' Health Program (NHP) Advisory Committee, as we explore the reality of substance use disorder in nursing and Karen shares her own recovery story. Substance use disorder is a real and often hidden challenge within the nursing profession, affecting dedicated professionals across all roles and career stages. The Nurses’ Health Program provides confidential monitoring, advocacy, and support that helps nurses safely recover, remain accountable, and ultimately return to practice. This Nurses' Day, consider the importance of financial assistance for programs like the NHP Assistance Fund, which provides support to assist nurses with the cost of required toxicology testing while they participate in the Nurses' Health Program. Your generosity directly impacts the life of a nurse who is working diligently to restore their health, their career, and the ability to serve others. To support the NHP Assistance Fund this Nurses' Day, visit https://www.foundationpamp.org/nhp Visit www.pamedsoc.org [https://www.pamedsoc.org] for more.

What Is a PAMED Resolution? How PA Physicians Can Shape Health Policy Through the House of Delegates

Pennsylvania physicians, residents, fellows, and medical students have the power to shape health policy through PAMED resolutions, and this episode walks you through exactly how to do it. In this resident wrap-up episode of PAMED Talks, PAMED Outreach Specialist Dana Lombardo sits down with PAMED Policy Administrator Minahil Abbas to explain the resolution writing process ahead of the 2026 House of Delegates. Whether you are a medical student, resident, or early career physician in Pennsylvania, the resolution process is one of the most direct ways to turn your ideas into real organizational policy and advocacy. Topics covered:  * What a PAMED resolution is and how it becomes policy * How Pennsylvania physicians and residents can write and submit a resolution  * What happens after you submit * Common mistakes to avoid when writing your first resolution  * How to get involved through testimony Sign up for HOD Alerts: pamedsoc.org/house-of-delegates/about-hod/sign-up-for-hod-alerts [https://www.pamedsoc.org/house-of-delegates/about-hod/sign-up-for-hod-alerts] Learn more and access resolution writing resources at pamedsoc.org/HOD. #PhysicianAdvocacy #PennsylvaniaMedicine #PAMed #HouseOfDelegates #PhysicianLeadership Join PAMED to access full member resources and bring your voice to the 2026 House of Delegates at pamedsoc.org [https://pamedsoc.org/]. Visit www.pamedsoc.org [https://www.pamedsoc.org] for more.